BGB-BSF border conference ends with pledges on cross-border security, cooperation

The four-day 56th Director General (DG)-level border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) concluded on Thursday in Dhaka, with both sides signing a joint statement and pledging stronger collaboration to ensure peace and security along the shared border.

The conference, held from August 25 to 28, saw both border forces address key bilateral concerns including cross-border killings, smuggling, illegal infiltration, and insurgent activities.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui led the 21-member Bangladesh delegation, which included senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministries of Home, Foreign, and Shipping Affairs, Roads and Highways Division, Land Survey Department, Joint Rivers Commission, and the Department of Narcotics Control.

BSF Director General Shri Daljit Singh Chowdhury, IPS, headed the 11-member Indian delegation comprising BSF senior officers and representatives from India’s Ministries of Home and External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Expressing deep concern over the deaths and injuries of Bangladeshi nationals due to alleged indiscriminate firing by BSF and Indian civilians, the BGB DG urged immediate preventive measures. In response, the BSF DG assured that extra caution will be exercised and night patrolling will be intensified in sensitive and high-risk border areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Both sides agreed to enhance joint public awareness initiatives, implement socio-economic development programmes in border areas, and take coordinated action to reduce incidents of violence to zero. They also reiterated their commitment to a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on the presence of armed insurgent groups near the border and agreed to take coordinated steps based on real-time intelligence sharing.

The BGB expressed concern over the illegal push-in of Indian citizens and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh. The BSF side was urged to follow designated repatriation protocols. In turn, the BSF assured that any Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in India would be returned following mutually agreed procedures.

Both parties highlighted the need for real-time intelligence exchange and operational coordination to curb cross-border smuggling of narcotics, firearms, explosives, gold, counterfeit currency, and other contraband. Emphasis was placed on the effective implementation of the Integrated Border Management Plan.

Both sides agreed not to undertake any development work within 150 yards of the zero line without prior approval and to expedite ongoing projects in border areas. The Joint Rivers Commission’s approved riverbank protection work will be facilitated, while unauthorized activities in trans-boundary rivers will be halted.

In a key development, BSF assured to present the issue of accelerating the installation of optical fiber under the “Connected Bangladesh” project through the Tin Bigha Corridor to the relevant Indian authorities.

The BGB called for the urgent construction of permanent border pillars in the Muhurir Char area of Feni and the finalization of demarcation along the Ichhamati, Kalindi, Raimangal, and Hariabhanga rivers. BSF assured cooperation by referring these issues to the concerned Indian agencies.

The two sides also agreed to strictly avoid airspace violations and to share pre-scheduled flight information in real time to prevent any misunderstandings.

Responsible Media and Misinformation
Recognizing the role of media in maintaining cross-border harmony, both parties agreed to advise their respective media outlets against spreading disinformation or provocative content that could create unnecessary tensions along the border.

Both Director Generals expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the conference and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to maintaining peace, security, and stability along the Bangladesh-India border.